Lawyer for Woman at Center of LPD Scandal Threatens Lawsuit

Wednesday

Jul 3, 2013 at 4:12 PMJul 4, 2013 at 3:35 AM

Lakeland Police Department crime analyst Sue Eberle sat quietly as her lawyer made the case that she is a victim in an unfolding sex scandal within the department, which he said has resulted in harm to her.

By JEREMY MAREADYTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Lakeland Police Department crime analyst Sue Eberle sat quietly Wednesday, holding her husband's hand, as her Palm Harbor lawyer made the case that she is a victim in an unfolding sex scandal within the department, which he said has resulted in extreme harm to her.David J. Linesch read from a letter sent to city of Lakeland officials and said his investigation revealed "an exceptional if not historic case of sexual harassment, coercion and assault resulting in a work environment that was sexually toxic."During a news conference in his Palm Harbor office, he said administrative charges have been filed with federal and state agencies, although he offered to negotiate to settle the issues and avoid "potentially costly" litigation."I think the chief (Lisa Womack) has an opportunity here to make this right," he said.Linesch declined to provide copies of the complaints.The 37-year-old Eberle sat next to her husband, Ed, in Linesch's law office as the lawyer spoke to reporters in a news conference.Eberle recently detailed to investigators at the State ­Attorney's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement how, over a period of six to seven years, she engaged in numerous sex acts with multiple members of the Lakeland Police Department and other city employees while on duty, according to documents.The report released last week detailed allegations of dozens of sexual encounters, some consensual and some alleged to have been forced, that involved Eberle and more than 20 LPD officers and city employees. The investigators also detailed allegations of sexual harassment. But they said any criminal allegations couldn't be proven, according to the report and a letter last week by State Attorney Jerry Hill.LPD is conducting its own internal investigation.Linesch commended the work by Hill and his investigators, and he read from the letter delivered Wednesday to City Attorney Tim McCausland and Mayor Gow Fields."We were hopeful ducking the press would be helpful," Linesch said of when the report initially came out. But he and Eberle quickly learned that it was "important and vital" that they begin to tell the story from "Sue's perspective."Lakeland city spokesman Kevin Cook said the city's internal investigation will provide additional facts."It's not possible to evaluate any potential litigation until our internal investigation has been completed," Cook said.In his letter, Linesch said there is "little doubt" the number of incidents and the lengthy duration of the activities shows an "institutional problem" of which LPD and the city bear responsibility for the harm suffered by the Eberles.Linesch said the hostile work environment at LPD gives rise to legal claims, including negligent supervision, false imprisonment, assault and battery and gross sexual harassment.In his letter, Linesch charged that Eberle's direct supervisor, Sgt. Terri Smith, offered her little support and openly referred to Eberle as a "feral cat.""Obviously, such a mean-spirited and hostile attitude does not offer a viable conduit of complaint to Ms. Eberle in trying to address the harassment and assault she endured," Linesch wrote in the letter.Smith declined to comment on the allegation Wednesday.Linesch also said the Eberle, who is on paid administrative leave from her $42,000-a-year job, has little future for a career in law enforcement and that the emotional harm suffered by her and her husband gives rise to "substantial" damages.In addition to Eberle, LPD has placed fives officers — a captain, a lieutenant and three sergeants — on either paid administrative leave or modified duty, and a Lakeland Fire Department worker is also on paid leave.Linesch said that when he first met Eberle and asked her what she wanted from this, she replied, "I don't want this to happen to anyone else," Linesch told reporters at the news conference.The Eberles are working on their marriage and staying together through this, Linesch said. "Ed is a good man."Linesch wouldn't discuss whether Sue Eberle knew of any other women in the department who suffered the same types of problems she did, saying he was "not at liberty" to discuss the issue."She was a target," Linesch said. "She was weak. And they knew that they could take advantage of that. So, they preyed upon her. They preyed upon her, and that's what's so sick about it."

[ Jeremy Maready can be reached at jeremy.maready@theledger.com or 863-802- 7592. Ledger reporter John Chambliss contributed to this article.]

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